rockauto parts??
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: SoCal - Where pimpin aint easy
Going OE is not necessary for everything, because many times they're not the best to begin with.
I would say support the vendors, but it's hard knowing how much money you can save by getting that Gates timing belt shipped to your door cheaper on RA than any other avenue.
i ordered all of my timing parts including belts (gates) and even my same as oem ix headgasket (victor reinz). most oem parts are actualy made by these companys with a mitsu part number. anyone who who thinks rockauto is junk has no clue. you guys realy think mitsu makes all these parts, ha the evo would cost 70k if they did.
not to mention the huge savings over any evo stores i found.
not to mention the huge savings over any evo stores i found.
i ordered all of my timing parts including belts (gates) and even my same as oem ix headgasket (victor reinz). most oem parts are actualy made by these companys with a mitsu part number. anyone who who thinks rockauto is junk has no clue. you guys realy think mitsu makes all these parts, ha the evo would cost 70k if they did.
not to mention the huge savings over any evo stores i found.
not to mention the huge savings over any evo stores i found.
Just be sensible about what you buy. For example, don't expect a $6 dayco hose to compare in quality to one of the $17-22 dollar hoses. Sure the OEM one is about $10 more, but savings add up in the long run.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 452
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
i ordered all of my timing parts including belts (gates) and even my same as oem ix headgasket (victor reinz). most oem parts are actualy made by these companys with a mitsu part number. anyone who who thinks rockauto is junk has no clue. you guys realy think mitsu makes all these parts, ha the evo would cost 70k if they did.
not to mention the huge savings over any evo stores i found.
not to mention the huge savings over any evo stores i found.
However, I just looked at the Victor Reinz head gasket and it's the same price as an OEM one. That's not even at my cost, that's at retail. Rock Auto wants $16 to ship it, that's why it's the same price. Maybe the more items you buy the shipping becomes cost effective.
This is just my experience working on import cars for 20+ years, so take it with a grain of salt. We've had an abundance of OEM equivalent items not line up, hold up, etc compared to OEM.
Do a basic test, if you can afford it. Get an oem (fill in the blank with the part of your choice) and an OEM equivalent. Hold them side by side and do a visual inspection. Spin them if it's an idler, etc, etc.
We did this with water pumps, t-belt idlers, etc. We found the OEM equivalent ones were "grainy" (not as smooth spinning or tighter than OEM).
BTW, I'm all for a good deal. However, paying less, but doing the job twice is not really less. It's more. That's why I use OEM parts. I'll use aftermarket on my clutch, engine internals and power adders though.
Funny post earlier about the clutch.Also, to help the Evo community out, please let us know how the OEM equivalent parts work out. I sincerley hope it does. Like I said I'm all for a good deal!
Last edited by PureDrivePerformance; Nov 1, 2013 at 12:26 PM.
I hear what you all are saying. I buy select parts from them too.
However, I just looked at the Victor Reinz head gasket and it's the same price as an OEM one. That's not even at my cost, that's at retail. Rock Auto wants $16 to ship it, that's why it's the same price. Maybe the more items you buy the shipping becomes cost effective.
This is just my experience working on import cars for 20+ years, so take it with a grain of salt. We've had an abundance of OEM equivalent items not line up, hold up, etc compared to OEM.
Do a basic test, if you can afford it. Get an oem (fill in the blank with the part of your choice) and an OEM equivalent. Hold them side by side and do a visual inspection. Spin them if it's an idler, etc, etc.
We did this with water pumps, t-belt idlers, etc. We found the OEM equivalent ones were "grainy" (not as smooth spinning or tighter than OEM).
BTW, I'm all for a good deal. However, paying less, but doing the job twice is not really less. It's more. That's why I use OEM parts. I'll use aftermarket on my clutch, engine internals and power adders though. Funny post earlier about the clutch.
Also, to help the Evo community out, please let us know how the OEM equivalent parts work out. I sincerley hope it does. Like I said I'm all for a good deal!
However, I just looked at the Victor Reinz head gasket and it's the same price as an OEM one. That's not even at my cost, that's at retail. Rock Auto wants $16 to ship it, that's why it's the same price. Maybe the more items you buy the shipping becomes cost effective.
This is just my experience working on import cars for 20+ years, so take it with a grain of salt. We've had an abundance of OEM equivalent items not line up, hold up, etc compared to OEM.
Do a basic test, if you can afford it. Get an oem (fill in the blank with the part of your choice) and an OEM equivalent. Hold them side by side and do a visual inspection. Spin them if it's an idler, etc, etc.
We did this with water pumps, t-belt idlers, etc. We found the OEM equivalent ones were "grainy" (not as smooth spinning or tighter than OEM).
BTW, I'm all for a good deal. However, paying less, but doing the job twice is not really less. It's more. That's why I use OEM parts. I'll use aftermarket on my clutch, engine internals and power adders though.
Funny post earlier about the clutch.Also, to help the Evo community out, please let us know how the OEM equivalent parts work out. I sincerley hope it does. Like I said I'm all for a good deal!
I pick up hawk brake pads from them - cheapest price around.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 452
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I think I'm going to do this and see the quality for myself. I promised I wouldn't be the old guy who lives in the past 
The back of my shop tool box is covered in them.
I used Rock Auto extensively when I did a frame off rebuild on my 1988 LandCruiser. The parts I purchased from them were the exact ones that I would have gotten from Toyota, primarily the parts were NippoDenso which is the OEM parts manufacturer for many of the Toyota parts. The savings from our discounted dealer parts rate were huge on most parts.
Just this morning I ordered Front and Rear Slotted/drilled rotors for my X - $310 shipped for the 4 Powerstop rotors. Always google Rock Auto Discount Code for an additional 5% savings code.
BTW
Their prices on hawk pads are pretty good as well - but I mentioned that in my previous post.
